Rotating your iPad screen is a handy feature that gives you the best type of display for different tasks and activities.
Whether you're reading, watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web, being able to switch between portrait and landscape modes can make things more immersive, fun and comfortable for you.
It’s quick and easy to make your screen rotate when you move your iPad from landscape to portrait mode (and vice versa). All you need to do is turn the portrait lock orientation off. Here’s how it’s done.
How to turn the portrait orientation lock off
Unlock your iPad and go to the screen you want to rotate.
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to access the iPad Control Centre.
Look for the ‘Orientation Lock’ icon, which looks like a lock with a circular arrow around it. If it's highlighted in white, it means the orientation is locked. Tap it to disable the lock.
When the orientation lock is off, go ahead and rotate your iPad. The screen will automatically adjust to match its orientation. That’s all there is to it!
How to turn the portrait orientation lock on
Okay, so we’ve showed you how to rotate your iPad display above. But sometimes, you won’t want that to happen. Sometimes, a screen flipping around every time you tilt your device is really frustrating.
Luckily, there's a simple solution - locking your iPad's screen orientation. Doing this is keeps the screen in your preferred position, whether that’s portrait or landscape. Here’s how to get it on:
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Centre.
Go to the ‘Portrait Orientation Lock’ icon. It’s a lock with a circular arrow around it.
If the icon is highlighted in white, tap it once to activate the lock. You'll see a small lock icon appear on the icon, showing that the orientation is locked. Your iPad's screen will now stay in its current orientation. Hopefully the one that you want.
iPad screen rotation issues – troubleshooting tips
Having problems doing any of the above? If you’ve got any iPad screen rotation issues, here are some handy troubleshooting tips to try:
Check that screen rotation isn’t locked. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open Control Centre. Then check that the lock icon (a padlock with a circular arrow around it) isn’t highlighted. If it is, tap it to disable screen rotation lock.
Restart your iPad. Press and hold the power button until the slider appears, then drag it to power off. After a few seconds, press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears and your iPad restarts.
Update your iPad's software. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and download install any available updates.
Clean the iPad's screen and check for any obstructions. Sometimes dirt, dust, or a screen protector can interfere with the rotation sensor. So take a close look and gently rub away any debris. For a gentler touch, you can use a can of compressed air to blow nasties away.
Perform a hard reset. Press and hold both the power button and the home button (or volume down button on iPads without a home button) simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
Reset all settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will reset all settings to their default values without affecting your data.
Factory reset your iPad. If none of the above steps work, you can try restoring your iPad to its factory settings. Our best iPad tips for beginners has a section on how to do this.
Need more help?
Looking for more advice for your iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air or iPad Pro?. iPad not charging? Here’s how to fix it. And here’s how to clear the cache and cookies on an iPad.
If you’d like to get the most out of your tablet, check out our range of accessories including tablet cases and keyboards. Or if you’re looking for a brand new iPad, find out which iPad is right for you.
It pays to trade-in. Ker-ching!
We offer trade-in for most types and makes of devices, even if they’re damaged and non-working.
If you’re interested, head to our trade-in page and check that your old tech is eligible for trade-in. You’ll also see a handy calculator that will give you an instant valuation.
Then bring your device to one of our stores and we’ll confirm its value, take it off your hands, and give you a gift card to spend on the tech you really want. Easy.
